Lexington Breaking News
BREAKING NEWS
Severe Flood Advisory for Calhoun, Lexington, and Orangeburg Counties
News Summary A severe flood advisory has been issued for Calhoun, Lexington, and Orangeburg counties in South Carolina due to heavy rainfall. The National Weather Service warns residents of potential...
Lexington Police Seek Help in Locating Missing Man
News Summary Lexington Police are calling on the community to assist in finding Walter Flanagan, a missing man last seen Thursday night. Authorities are especially concerned due to Flanagan’s history...
Columbia Marks Significant Return of Endangered Woodpecker
News Summary The red cockaded woodpecker, an endangered species, has returned to Columbia after nearly 50 years, with first sightings at Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve. This milestone highlights successful conservation...
Two Sentenced for Role in Columbia Police Department Riot
News Summary In Columbia, South Carolina, two men were sentenced for their involvement in a riot outside the Columbia Police Department amid a protest following George Floyd’s death. Brandon Jemar...
Passing of Beloved Giant Pacific Octopus at Riverbanks Zoo
News Summary Riverbanks Zoo & Garden mourns the loss of Susan, a beloved Giant Pacific Octopus, who passed away on June 12. Known for her vibrant personality, Susan captivated visitors...
Columbia Proposes Major Expansion in Cameron Ridge Subdivision
News Summary Columbia is set to consider a significant expansion in the Cameron Ridge Subdivision, potentially adding nearly 300 new homes. The development, mainly consisting of townhome-style units, aims to...
Cayce City Council Faces Scrutiny Over Unapproved Spending
News Summary The Cayce City Council is under fire for paying a communications firm over $17,000 without prior council approval. The payment to NP Strategy comes amid concerns about the...
Lexington County Representative Indicted on Child Exploitation Charges
News Summary RJ May, a state representative from Lexington County, has been indicted on federal charges for distributing child sexual abuse material. He was arrested at his home after evidence...
Lawsuit Filed Against Richland One School District Over Assault
News Summary The mother of a special needs student has filed a lawsuit against the Richland One school district, alleging that a janitor sexually assaulted her daughter at Columbia High...
Irmo, SC Faces Multiple Vehicle Accidents and Building Collision
News Summary Irmo, South Carolina, has experienced a series of vehicle accidents, including a three-car collision on Interstate 26 and a four-car wreck at Harbison and St. Andrews. Additionally, a...
POLITICS
Lexington County Representative Indicted on Child Exploitation Charges
News Summary RJ May, a state representative from Lexington County, has been indicted on federal charges for distributing child sexual abuse material. He was arrested at his home after evidence...
Cayce City Council Faces Controversy Over Budget and Taxes
News Summary The Cayce City Council is in a heated budget debate over proposed tax increases and staff bonuses for the upcoming fiscal year. The council’s decision to raise property...
Legal Challenge over South Carolina Lawmakers’ Pay Raise
News Summary South Carolina State Senator Wes Climer has filed a lawsuit against his colleagues, claiming their recent decision to award themselves an $18,000 annual pay raise is unconstitutional. The...
Community Opposes Liquor License for Columbia Gas Station
News Summary In Columbia, local residents and law enforcement are uniting against the liquor license appeal for the Pitt Stop gas station. As concerns about crime linked to the store...
Columbia Faces Budget Crisis Over Conversion Therapy Ban
News Summary Columbia is grappling with a budget crisis due to a local ordinance banning conversion therapy for minors. The city could lose $4 million in state funding unless the...
Keishan Scott Wins House District 50 Special Election
News Summary In a significant political shift, Democrat Keishan Scott has claimed victory in the South Carolina House District 50 special election, defeating Republican William Oden. Scott, at just 24...
Mike Ward Elected as Irmo Councilmember
News Summary Mike Ward has been elected as the newest councilmember of Irmo after winning a special election. Securing 57.3% of the votes, Ward aims to use his background in...
State Representative Jermaine L. Johnson Explores Gubernatorial Run
News Summary State Representative Jermaine L. Johnson has announced plans to form an exploratory committee for a potential run for governor in South Carolina’s upcoming election. The Democrat is assessing...
Lexington Councilman Fined for Ethics Violation
News Summary Lexington Town Councilman Gavin Smith has been fined for breaching South Carolina ethics laws after endorsing Senator Katrina Shealy during a council meeting. A complaint led to a...
Cutbacks in AmeriCorps Funding Disrupt Community Services
News Summary Recent funding cuts to AmeriCorps programs in South Carolina and Western North Carolina have led to the dismissal of hundreds of volunteers. The loss of about $400 million...
CRIME
Lexington Police Seek Help in Locating Missing Man
News Summary Lexington Police are calling on the community to assist in finding Walter Flanagan, a missing man last seen Thursday night. Authorities are especially concerned due to Flanagan’s history...
Two Sentenced for Role in Columbia Police Department Riot
News Summary In Columbia, South Carolina, two men were sentenced for their involvement in a riot outside the Columbia Police Department amid a protest following George Floyd’s death. Brandon Jemar...
Lexington County Representative Indicted on Child Exploitation Charges
News Summary RJ May, a state representative from Lexington County, has been indicted on federal charges for distributing child sexual abuse material. He was arrested at his home after evidence...
Lawsuit Filed Against Richland One School District Over Assault
News Summary The mother of a special needs student has filed a lawsuit against the Richland One school district, alleging that a janitor sexually assaulted her daughter at Columbia High...
Lexington Police Seek Public Help to Identify Shoplifter
News Summary The Lexington Police Department is investigating a theft at ULTA Beauty where an alleged shoplifter stole over $700 worth of fragrances. The suspect concealed the items and left...
Columbia Man Arrested Following Violent Crime Spree
News Summary Brian R. King, a 44-year-old man, has been arrested by Columbia Police after a violent crime spree that included the stabbing of an officer. King faces multiple serious...
ECONOMY
Cayce City Council Faces Scrutiny Over Unapproved Spending
News Summary The Cayce City Council is under fire for paying a communications firm over $17,000 without prior council approval. The payment to NP Strategy comes amid concerns about the...
Columbia Faces Budget Crisis Over Conversion Therapy Ban
News Summary Columbia is grappling with a budget crisis due to a local ordinance banning conversion therapy for minors. The city could lose $4 million in state funding unless the...
Midlands Couple Wins $100,000 Lottery Jackpot
News Summary A couple in Irmo, South Carolina struck it rich with a $100,000 win from scratch-off lottery tickets purchased during a casual stop at a convenience store. Initially thinking...
Lexington County Property Taxes to Remain Flat
News Summary The Lexington County Council has decided to keep property tax rates unchanged for the upcoming fiscal year, ensuring no increase for homeowners. This decision reflects a commitment to...
20-Year-Old Arrested for Abducting 12-Year-Old Girl
News Summary Hector Leonel Lopez-Nunez, a 20-year-old from Gaston, SC, has been arrested for allegedly abducting a 12-year-old girl from Chicago. He faces multiple charges including third-degree criminal sexual conduct...
South Carolina Parents Struggle with Child Care Access
News Summary Parents in South Carolina are facing mounting challenges in accessing child care services as options dwindle amid legislative inaction. Many families have explored numerous facilities without success, particularly...
Local Columbia Man Becomes Millionaire with Lottery Win
News Summary A man from Columbia has won $1 million in the Royal Millions Second-Chance promotion, an incredible feat that surprised him and his wife at the lottery office. This...
Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting in Greenwood, SC
News Summary A domestic disturbance in Greenwood, SC, escalated into a fatal officer-involved shooting on Saturday, resulting in the death of 22-year-old Brayan M. Orozco-Angulo. The incident began when police...
Lexington Residents Urged to Avoid Cedar Street After Gas Incident
News Summary Residents of Lexington, SC, are being advised to avoid Cedar Street due to significant gas line damage following a tragic explosion in Lexington, MO. The explosion caused serious...
Help Needed! Trio Accused of Shoplifting Big in Lexington
News Summary The Lexington Police Department is seeking assistance from the community to identify a trio of shoplifters who allegedly stole over $2,000 in merchandise from TJ Maxx. The theft...
SPORT
Inaugural Juneteenth Golf Tournament in Orangeburg
News Summary The South Carolina Civil Rights Museum will host its first Juneteenth Golf Tournament to celebrate the significance of Juneteenth while raising funds for the museum and supporting Orangeburg’s...
Weekend Events in Columbia, S.C.
News Summary Columbia, South Carolina, is set for a vibrant weekend filled with varied activities including yard sales, concerts, sports, and cultural festivals. Highlights include the Peach Tree 23 Yard...
Irmo Unveils New Skate Park with National Competition
News Summary Irmo has officially opened its new skate park, hosting the Boardr series competition that attracted 71 participants from 20 states. Covering 8,500 square feet, the park is designed...
Columbia Welcomes New Musical Trio Dem Boyz Good
News Summary Dem Boyz Good, a new musical trio from Columbia, has captivated the indie music scene with their original sound. Comprising three talented vocalists and a skilled lineup of...
Columbia, SC Kicks Off Summer with Weekend Events
News Summary This weekend, Columbia, SC, welcomes the unofficial start of summer with a range of events, including baseball games, concerts, and community activities. Despite potential storms on Friday, warm...
Richland County Welcomes Summer with Memorial Day Weekend Events
News Summary Memorial Day Weekend kicks off summer in Columbia, with Richland County public pools opening and new reservation systems at Lake Murray. The weekend will feature various activities, including...
DISASTERS
Severe Flood Advisory for Calhoun, Lexington, and Orangeburg Counties
News Summary A severe flood advisory has been issued for Calhoun, Lexington, and Orangeburg counties in South Carolina due to heavy rainfall. The National Weather Service warns residents of potential...
Lawsuit Filed Against Richland One School District Over Assault
News Summary The mother of a special needs student has filed a lawsuit against the Richland One school district, alleging that a janitor sexually assaulted her daughter at Columbia High...
Irmo, SC Faces Multiple Vehicle Accidents and Building Collision
News Summary Irmo, South Carolina, has experienced a series of vehicle accidents, including a three-car collision on Interstate 26 and a four-car wreck at Harbison and St. Andrews. Additionally, a...
Man Sentenced for DUI Crash That Claimed Two Lives
News Summary A 26-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for DUI-related deaths of a teenager and her grandfather. Joshua Yarborough’s crash occurred in West Columbia and...
Severe Thunderstorms Cause Power Outages in Midlands, SC
News Summary Severe thunderstorms in the Midlands of South Carolina led to widespread power outages affecting around 140,000 residents. Strong winds exceeded 60 mph, causing major disruptions and prompting emergency...
Teenagers Arrested in Deadly Airbnb Shooting
News Summary Columbia Police have arrested two teenagers following a shooting at an Airbnb on Lincoln Street that resulted in the death of 18-year-old Jayden Brackins. The incident also left...
Severe Thunderstorms Cause Power Outages in Columbia
News Summary Severe storms swept through Columbia and surrounding areas, resulting in over 10,000 customers losing power. The storms produced strong winds, hail, and hazardous conditions, particularly affecting areas south...
Severe Weather in South Carolina Causes Major Power Outages
News Summary Severe weather, including wind gusts of 60-70 MPH, has left over 145,000 customers in South Carolina without power. Areas like Lake Murray and Winnsboro were heavily impacted. Dominion...
Multiple Deadly Car Crashes in Columbia and Lexington, SC
News Summary Columbia and Lexington have witnessed a series of tragic car accidents resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries over recent days. Reckless driving and traffic violations have been...
High-Speed Chases Raise Public Safety Concerns in SC
News Summary Recent high-speed chases in South Carolina have led to multiple arrests and injuries, highlighting the dangers of reckless driving. Incidents include a pursuit that ended in a crash...
HEALTH
Two Sentenced for Role in Columbia Police Department Riot
News Summary In Columbia, South Carolina, two men were sentenced for their involvement in a riot outside the Columbia Police Department amid a protest following George Floyd’s death. Brandon Jemar...
Passing of Beloved Giant Pacific Octopus at Riverbanks Zoo
News Summary Riverbanks Zoo & Garden mourns the loss of Susan, a beloved Giant Pacific Octopus, who passed away on June 12. Known for her vibrant personality, Susan captivated visitors...
Three Columbia Hospitals Earn Top Safety Grades
News Summary In a recent assessment by The Leapfrog Group, Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge, Prisma Health Baptist, and Lexington Medical Center in Columbia received ‘A’ grades for safety. This reflects...
Community Urged to Help Find Missing Broadway Performer
News Summary The family of missing Broadway performer Zelig Williams is pleading for community support in locating him. Williams, known for his roles in ‘Hamilton’ and ‘MJ the Musical’, was...
Cayce Launches Unique Program to Address Opioid Addiction
News Summary Cayce, South Carolina, has introduced an innovative initiative aiming to combat opioid addiction through the Therapeutic Equine Activities Program, featuring therapy horse Muffin. This community collaboration seeks to...
Riverbanks Zoo Says Farewell to Amur Tiger Koshka
News Summary Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, S.C. announced the passing of Koshka, a beloved Amur tiger who dedicated nearly two decades to conservation efforts. Euthanized due to health issues, Koshka’s...
Spring Has Sprung: Pollen Takes Center Stage in Columbia, SC
News Summary As spring arrives in Columbia, SC, residents are facing high pollen counts, resulting in seasonal allergies. With dry conditions and warmer temperatures, tree and grass pollen levels are...
Columbia Celebrates USC School of Medicine Match Day
News Summary Columbia is abuzz with excitement as the University of South Carolina School of Medicine celebrates Match Day, where nearly 300 graduate students discovered their residency placements. With a...
Lexington Police Seek Community Help in Catalytic Converter Theft
News Summary The Lexington Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying suspects involved in a $1,000 catalytic converter theft that occurred on January 4. Residents are encouraged...
Illegal Gambling Ring Busted in Lexington County
News Summary Authorities in Lexington County, South Carolina, have uncovered a significant illegal gambling operation that was generating between $60,000 and $100,000 weekly. The ring, which operated illegal slot machines...
SHOWBIZ
Bow Tie Management Cinemas in Columbia Closes Permanently
News Summary The Bow Tie Management Cinemas at Dutch Square Center has closed its doors for good, leaving Columbia with fewer movie options. The closure follows a trend of diminishing...
Columbia Set for Major Transformation by 2027
News Summary Columbia is preparing for significant changes, with new restaurants, recreational facilities, and medical centers expected to open by 2027. The University of South Carolina’s new School of Medicine...
David LaTorre Takes the Helm at Village Square Theatre
News Summary David LaTorre is set to lead the Village Square Theatre as its new artistic director. With a rich background in theater and local roots, LaTorre aims to revitalize...
Columbia’s Morihiko Nakahara Extends Contract with Philharmonic
News Summary Columbia is set for a vibrant musical future as Morihiko Nakahara renews his contract as Music Director of the South Carolina Philharmonic through June 30, 2029. Since 2008,...
Columbia Welcomes New Game Show Challenge Venue
News Summary Columbia is abuzz as the Game Show Challenge has launched at 823 Gervais Street. Created by the Brickeys, known for Escape Plan Columbia, this venue offers thrilling, interactive...
New Morning Show Premieres in Columbia
News Summary Columbia welcomes a new morning show, ‘The Midlands Morning Show,’ on B106.7 starting January 7, 2025. Co-hosted by Kaylin Mozdzen and Leo ‘LB’ Baldwin, this vibrant program promises...
Columbia Classical Ballet Announces New Leadership Amid Challenges
News Summary Columbia Classical Ballet (CCB) is set for a significant leadership change as Joseph Phillips takes over as artistic director in January 2025, following Brooklyn Mack’s resignation. This transition...
TECH UPDATES
Columbia City Council to Consider Sale for Technology Hub
News Summary The Columbia City Council is preparing to vote on a $2 million proposal to sell a vacant office building on 2221 Devine Street. This initiative aims to transform...
Local Living: Bright Outlook on Affordable Housing
News Summary Our community is experiencing a wave of optimism in the housing market with a focus on affordable housing solutions. As local perspectives emerge, the importance of securing affordable...
USC Begins Construction on New School of Medicine in Columbia
News Summary The University of South Carolina has officially broken ground on its new School of Medicine, set to revolutionize medical education and research in the state. With a planned...
Columbia’s New Medical Education Facility Breaks Ground
News Summary Columbia, South Carolina, recently celebrated the groundbreaking of the new School of Medicine Columbia as part of the University of South Carolina’s $300 million Health Sciences Campus initiative....
Columbia Receives $1 Million for Investigative Journalism
News Summary The Darla Moore Foundation has donated $1 million to establish a sustainability fund supporting investigative journalism in Columbia, South Carolina. This initiative aims to ensure the continuation of...
Columbia Opens New Workforce Training Center for Electric Vehicles
News Summary Columbia has unveiled a state-of-the-art workforce training center aimed at enhancing skills for the electric vehicle industry, initiated by Scout Motors. The 41,000 square foot facility, a result...
SCIENCE
Jim O’Heir Cast as Dick Harpootlian in Hulu Series
News Summary Actor Jim O’Heir is set to portray Dick Harpootlian in the Hulu series ‘Murdaugh Murders,’ stirring excitement in Columbia, South Carolina. Known for his comedic role in ‘Parks...
Tragic Loss in the Music World: Angie Stone Dies in Car Accident
News Summary Angie Stone, the beloved neo-soul singer, has passed away at 63 following a tragic car accident on March 1, 2025. While traveling with her crew, their vehicle was...
